EXHIBIT 12(a) FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS (millions) 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Earnings: Income before income taxes, extraordinary credit and cumulative effect of accounting changes $2,171 $1,931 $1,034 $1,380 $1,094 Adjustments: (a) Fixed charges: (1) Interest on borrowed funds 567 685 1,278 990 752 (2) 1/3 of rent 49 52 50 51 52 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (b) Adjusted earnings $2,787 $2,668 $2,362 $2,421 $1,898 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Fixed charges $ 616 $ 737 $1,328 $1,041 $ 804 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Adjusted earnings/fixed charges 4.53x 3.62x 1.78x 2.33x 2.36x ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Earnings: Income before income taxes, extraordinary credit and cumulative effect of accounting changes $2,171 $1,931 $1,034 $1,380 $1,094 Adjustments: (a) Fixed charges: (1) Interest on borrowed funds 567 685 1,278 990 752 (2) 1/3 of rent 49 52 50 51 52 (3) Interest on deposits 1,654 1,754 1,726 1,170 1,165 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (b) Adjusted earnings $4,441 $4,422 $4,088 $3,591 $3,063 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Fixed charges $2,270 $2,491 $3,054 $2,211 $1,969 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Adjusted earnings/fixed charges 1.96x 1.78x 1.34x 1.62x 1.56x ====== ====== ====== ====== ======